Tsukishiro's concession

Nanase Tsubasa, who was closest to them, was completely bewildered. How had things spiraled out of control? Fortunately, she snapped out of it and hurried after Lezheng, saying something beside him, but Lezheng did not stop walking.

"Ryuen, was Lezheng always this strong?" Ishizaki felt wary.

"How else do you think he persuaded Miyabi Nagumo?" Ryuuen scoffed.

When Hosen woke up, he was already in the security office. Nanase, who was sitting beside him, hurriedly spoke when she saw him wake up.

"You're in big trouble, Hosen! What were you thinking, attacking him in front of so many people?"

"That guy really hits hard." Hosen rubbed the spot where Lezheng had struck him.

"I've already messaged Chairman Tsukishiro. He said he'd do his best to plead your case and try to get you a lighter punishment."

In the next room were Lezheng, Tsukishiro, and Chairman Sakayanagi.

"Look, the boy didn't actually cause any harm. Surely there's no need for such a severe punishment?" Tsukishiro smiled.

"This goes beyond simply disregarding school rules. If he dares to act so brazenly somewhere with surveillance cameras, I'm afraid he'd be even worse somewhere without them," Lezheng said.

"President Lezheng is right." Sakayanagi nodded.

"The Kiryuin family's sudden move against us had something to do with you, didn't it, President Lezheng? The Sakayanagi Family's daughter shouldn't have that kind of influence." Tsukishiro tried to change the subject.

"Then we'll expel him." Lezheng made the decision.

"There's no need to ruin a student's youth over something so trivial, is there?" The corner of Tsukishiro's mouth twitched.

"Oh? I don't recall you being someone who pitied the children during the last two Special Exams, Tsukishiro."

"I'll be leaving tomorrow, so could the two of you take pity on that boy?" Tsukishiro exhaled.

"...You're paying such a high price to protect him. Could he be from the White Room?" Sakayanagi caught the implication.

"Let's hear what the two of you think." Tsukishiro did not answer.

"Then a one-month suspension, no Private Points for three months, and he'll be in a group by himself for this Special Exam."

The three settled on the final outcome.

Tsukishiro went into the next room, while Lezheng and Sakayanagi left the security office.

"The Kiryuin family is one of the foremost political families. How did you get them to help me?"

On the way, Sakayanagi Narumori asked the question on his mind.

"With your resources, Chairman, I'm sure you've already investigated what I did for work before coming here." Lezheng did not spell it out.

The Kiryuin family's darling daughter was in Class 3-B, and given this boy Lezheng's previous occupation... it really was possible.

"Thank you, Lezheng Youyan."

"You're welcome, Chairman."

"What do you think of Arisu?" Sakayanagi suddenly asked.

"A little girl who doesn't grow any taller." Lezheng gave his honest opinion.

"..." Sakayanagi fell silent.

"Goodbye, Chairman."

When they reached the foot of the dormitory building, Lezheng said his goodbyes.

Sakayanagi stood downstairs for a few minutes before slowly walking toward his own residence.

"Arisu, do you think someone who's never received any training could really do what he does?"

"Father, could Lezheng have a background we haven't been able to uncover? Should we ask Kiryuin to help?" Sakayanagi's voice came from the chairman's phone.

"They investigated him as soon as they received Fuka Kiryuin's request. The result was the same. He's never undergone any modification or training."

A pink-haired girl stood outside Room 321 in the dormitory.

With her head lowered, she gently kicked a small pebble by her feet. She seemed to have been waiting for some time.

"Ichinose, were you waiting for me?" Lezheng patted her shoulder.

"Lezheng, you're back! Are you hurt?" Ichinose caught the hand he had patted her with and began feeling it over to check.

"The bone here in my hand hurts a little. I hit his teeth." Lezheng unlocked the door.

"Let me see."

Ichinose entered the room and switched on the light, then took a medical kit from a corner of the room and sat down at the table. She patted the table with both hands, signaling for Lezheng to come over quickly.

Lezheng smiled and obediently sat down opposite her, holding out his hand.

Ichinose carefully examined every part of Lezheng's hand, but found no wounds, only a few spots that were slightly redder than the rest.

She first poured some alcohol into her palm, took Lezheng's wrist with her other hand, then spread it evenly around the protruding bones on the back of his hand, gently rubbing with both hands.

Lezheng's hands are so big. What would it feel like to hold one?

The thought made Ichinose blush, but she did not back down. Instead, she found the right angle and interlaced her fingers with his.

The sudden development left Lezheng blinking in bewilderment.

Fortunately, she let go before long, because it was time to try the other hand.

Soon, both his hands were covered in Ichinose's scent. She lowered her head, her fingers twisting the hem of her clothes, her ears reddening too.

Although Lezheng had worked in the service industry before, the law had protected him. Those understanding older women had, at most, been a little flirtatious with their words; there had been no physical contact. So he was not doing much better than Ichinose.

"W-well, I'll head back."

"Oh... okay. I'll walk you out."

They stood in the corridor, waiting for the elevator.

"Ding." The elevator arrived.

Ichinose did not step inside, remaining there until the elevator doors automatically closed and it left the floor.

"What a shame. We missed that one," Lezheng said at just the right moment.

"Then let's wait for the next one." Ichinose took Lezheng's hand again and held it in front of her, examining it. "The medicine wasn't spread evenly."

Another elevator closed and left the floor after its waiting time ran out.

Only when the elevator stopped on the third floor for the third time did Ichinose slowly step inside.

"See you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow," Lezheng replied.

The next day, Lezheng posted Hosen's punishment on the homepage of the school's official website.

Once again, Lezheng became the focus of everyone's discussions.

Those who favored force discussed just how impressive Lezheng's punch had been, while those who favored civil means exaggerated and spread stories of his exploits.

There were also those who called him a barbarian, such as Miyabi Nagumo.

"Why weren't you suspended?"

The moment Lezheng sat down, his deskmate challenged him.

"Do you even hear what you're saying? Are you human?" Lezheng rolled his eyes at Kamuro.

"You beat someone into the infirmary. I thought you'd get punished too. I got my hopes up for nothing." Kamuro sighed.

"I was quelling a riot."

"You look like the riot to me."

The two traded barbs as usual.

Before going to bed last night, Lezheng had discovered that none of the groups already formed included students from Class 1-D. Ryuuen had even made a point of asking whether he had beaten the new students into being too scared.

But that no longer had anything to do with him. After all, the two Class A students who had been rejected yesterday had also successfully formed groups that morning.

However, Yagami, who had rejected his classmates' requests to form a group, had successfully teamed up with Kushida today. That surprised Lezheng a little.

Those two weren't even from the same school before. Maybe it's because Kushida looks cute.

The enrollment records listed every incoming student's previous school, so Lezheng knew very well that their former schools were far apart.

Gossip was human nature, and Lezheng was no exception.